Reversible-Deactivation Radical Polymerizations

Abstract

This article is a Perspective that introduces several review articles in the field of reversible-deactivation radical polymerizations (RDRPs), also known as living/ controlled radical polymerizations. The most important of these RDRP techniques are nitroxide-mediated polymerization (NMP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and, finally, variations of organometallic-mediated polymerizations (OMRP). A brief introduction to the history and chemistry involved in each RDRP technique is given.

Keywords:

• Polymer Synthesis
• RDRP
• ATRP
• RAFT polymerization
• NMP
• OMRP

Notes

Like most discoveries, these chemistries had roots in other fields or perhaps had already been published, just not widely known or fully disclosed.